Chapter 304: Your Highness, You Are Too Blatant in Chasing the Wall

Jing'an Residence is filled with the light fragrance of tea.

Chu Ruohan had just finished breakfast and was sitting on the couch watching Yuling and Song Ruyan playing around.

A servant's respectful announcement came from outside the courtyard.

Prince Su asked for an audience.

Chu Ruohan's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and her eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

She put down the teacup, and there was no emotion in her voice.

"He comes here frequently."

Yuling stood aside, with an undisguised look of dissatisfaction on her face, muttering softly.

"Young Madam, I think His Royal Highness Prince Su has evil intentions."

Chu Ruohan didn't respond, "Please ask him to come in."

Not long after, Prince Su, dressed in a brocade robe, walked in with a perfectly gentle smile on his face.

"I heard that today is your wife's birthday, so I came here specially to congratulate her." Prince Su said in a gentle voice.

He waved his hand gently.

The servant following behind him immediately stepped forward, holding an exquisite gift box in his hand.

"It's just a small gift, but it doesn't show my respect."

Chu Ruohan knelt slightly and bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Prince Su did not immediately ask the attendant to put down the gift box. His eyes remained on Chu Ruohan's face and he continued speaking.

"I have prepared a table of light wine at Zuixianlou, please do me a favor, Madam Gu."

As soon as these words were spoken, Song Ruyan next to him could no longer hold back.

She was a woman of the world, straightforward in nature, and could not stand this kind of hypocritical courtesy.

"Your Highness, your taunting is too blatant, isn't it?"

Song Ruyan crossed her arms, raised her eyebrows and looked at Prince Su with obvious sarcasm in her tone.

"Her husband is still in Pingzhou, fighting bloody battles for your Zhao family's kingdom!"

“Ruyan!”

Chu Ruohan raised her voice slightly, with a hint of blame, and interrupted Song Ruyan.

She turned to look at Prince Su and quickly tried to deal with him. "People in the martial arts world are used to being casual and don't know how to take things lightly. Please don't blame me, Your Highness."

Then, she turned her gaze to Song Ruyan, her tone slightly heavier.

"Why don't you apologize to the prince?"

Song Ruyan curled her lips and bowed perfunctorily to Prince Su reluctantly.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

There was no trace of anger on Prince Su's face; instead, he waved his hand magnanimously.

"Miss Song is a true character. This king is not a stingy person."

His gaze returned to Chu Ruohan again, "Madam Gu, there's no need to be so polite. General Gu is away from the capital fighting for his country. As a member of the royal family, I should take care of Madam Gu on his behalf."

"It's just a simple meal, ma'am, don't worry too much."

Chu Ruohan looked at his persistence and knew that any further refusal would seem deliberate.

She pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.

"Since that's the case, it's better to obey your orders respectfully."

When going out, Chu Ruohan took Song Ruyan and Yuling with her.

Zuixianlou is a famous restaurant in the capital. It is noon now and the restaurant is bustling with people.

Prince Su had already booked the best private room upstairs, away from the hustle and bustle.

He personally welcomed Chu Ruohan in with a warm and considerate attitude.

Inside the private room, the table was already filled with exquisite dishes, and the aroma filled the air.

"Madam Gu, this is the new chef from Yangzhou who has just arrived at Zuixianlou. He is an excellent Huaiyang cook. Please try this squirrel mandarin fish."

Prince Su diligently served food to Chu Ruohan, and his words were full of goodwill.

Chu Ruohan only tried it briefly, responded appropriately, but always kept her distance.

The meal ended in a slightly subtle atmosphere.

Prince Su put down his ivory chopsticks, wiped the corners of his mouth with a brocade handkerchief, and made another proposal.

"I heard that a new Kunqu opera troupe has recently arrived in the south of the city. Their singing is melodious and beautiful, and they are quite famous."

"How about I take my wife to listen to a play to relax?"

Chu Ruohan was about to refuse when she heard a cold voice coming from downstairs.

"Second brother, what a coincidence!"

Chu Ruohan raised her eyes and looked towards the stairs.

I saw a young man in a green monk's robe walking up the stairs calmly.

The smile on Prince Su's face faded a little, and his brows unconsciously frowned.

He looked at Zhao Yunci's monk robe, which was out of tune with the surrounding environment, and his tone was obviously displeased.

"Third brother, why are you here?"

"Why are you not accompanying the Emperor in the Cining Palace, chanting sutras and praying for the Empress Dowager? Instead, what are you doing here in this mixed-up restaurant?"

"Aren't monks supposed to be free from all desires?"

The Third Prince seemed not to hear the dissatisfaction in Prince Su's tone, and didn't even look at him.

His gaze passed Prince Su and fell directly on Chu Ruohan, with an ambiguous smile on the corner of his lips.

"I thought my brother was drinking alone here, but I never thought I would run into Madam Gu here."

"It's a pleasant surprise."

Chu Ruohan felt a little startled in her heart, but remained expressionless. She stood up and saluted again.

"This subject greets the Third Prince."

For some reason, she always felt that there was a hint of hostility in the eyes of the Third Prince when he looked at her.

It is clear that they have never met each other and have never had any intersection in their previous lives?

This unreasonable hostility made her wary.

The third prince nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Chu Ruohan for a moment, then turned to Prince Su, his tone calm and unperturbed.

"Your Majesty, I am sorry for being so rude and want to host a banquet for Madam Gu."

Prince Su pulled the corners of his mouth with a forced smile.

"Third brother, you are too kind. It was just Madam Gu's birthday, so we had a few drinks."

He signaled Zhao Yunci with his eyes, "If my royal brother has nothing else to do, why not sit down and have a cup of tea with me?"

The third prince clasped his hands together and shook his head slightly.

"Thank you for your kindness, my dear brother. I need to return to the palace to accompany you, so I won't disturb you and Madam Gu's enjoyment."

He looked at Chu Ruohan again, and deep in those seemingly gentle eyes, there was a barely perceptible scrutiny.

"Mrs. Gu, goodbye."

After saying that, he turned and walked away, as if he just happened to pass by.

Song Ruyan frowned, looked at the third prince's departing back, and muttered to herself.

"This monk looks weird."

The smile on Prince Su's face completely disappeared. He picked up the teacup and drank the cold tea in the cup in one gulp. A trace of gloom flashed in his eyes.

Chu Ruohan felt a chill in her heart. His eyes were too familiar, exactly the same as Gu Chengyan in her dream.

"Your Highness, it's getting late. I should return home."

"Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness. However, as for the opera, I am not feeling well and am afraid I cannot enjoy it. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Prince Su put down the teacup and his eyes fell on Chu Ruohan's face.

Chu Ruohan's palms were sweating, but her expression looked unchanged.

After a moment, Prince Su put on his gentle smile again.

"Since my wife is unwell, I will not force you to come. If there is an opportunity another day, please come again."

He stood up and said, "This king is sending my wife off."

Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly and bowed.

"I dare not trouble Your Majesty, I will go back on my own."

She took Yuling and Song Ruyan with her and left the private room without stopping.

Prince Su stood there, watching Chu Ruohan's departing back until the figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a cold contemplation.

"Go check." He ordered coldly into the air, "Why did the Third Prince appear in Zuixian Tower today?"

A shadow hidden in the darkness responded silently and then disappeared.